Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 010 Hazard: ERGONOMIC

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were required to perform tasks involving ergonomic risk factors resulting in stressors that had caused, were causing, or were likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Hudson Foods, Inc., Noel, Missouri, on or about 7/14/97 - MATERIAL HANDLERS, including EVIS CONDEMNED DUMPER, PAW ROOM BOX MAKER/PRODUCT MOVER, 28 DEGREE ROOM BELT LOADER, and SCALE ROOM BOX STACKER: Employees performing tasks in this group (material handlers) are pushing / pulling / dumping carts, racks, tubs, and/or barrels of chicken or chicken parts, stacking boxes containing product, strapping cardboard boxes, loading conveyors with racks, and stacking empty racks. The evaluation of these tasks indicates that the employee is exposed to the hazards of torso flexion and frequency of repetition. These are causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities and back. For all the material handler tasks in the group, examples of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.Train and educate the employees so as to ensure that they are sufficiently informed about the ergonomic-related hazards to which they may be exposed and thus are able to participate actively in their own protection. In addition, with regards to: (a)EVIS CONDEMNED DUMPER - The evaluation of this task also indicates that the employee is exposed to the hazards of elbow flexion with shoulder abduction while pushing, wrist flexion and extension, ulnar and radial deviations, and high forces. These are causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities and back. In addition to the above recommendations, examples of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.Implement a proper preventive maintenance program for the moving parts on the dumpers. 2.Limit load on the dumpers to reduce the force required for pushing and lifting. 3.Redesign wheels to improve mobility. 4.Use mechanical aid for moving the dumpers. 5.Install conveyor system from the condemned area to the dumping location. In addition, with regards to: (b)PAW ROOM BOX MAKER/PRODUCT MOVER - The evaluation of this task also indicates that the employee is exposed to the hazards of shoulder flexion, extended reaches, and high forces. These are causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities and back. In addition to the above recommendations, examples of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.Install conveyor system from the sorter/grader area to the box making machine to reduce lifting and carrying. 2.Use self-leveling palletizer to enable operator to push instead of lift. 3.Use mechanical aid for moving the cart containing the filled boxes. 4.Train the employee in the use of proper lifting techniques and devices. In addition, with regards to: (c)28 DEGREE ROOM BELT LOADER - Evaluation of this task also indicates that the employee is exposed to the hazards of shoulder flexion and abduction, torso twisting, and extended reaches. These are causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities and back. In addition to the above recommendations, examples of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.Limit stacking to shoulder height to reduce extended reaches. 2.Reposition the work to reduce twisting. 3.Decrease size of the crates to reduce horizontal reaches. 4.Use self-leveling palletizer and rearrange work area to enable operator to push instead of lift. 5.Automate the task. 6.Decrease load lifted to reduce applied forces. 7.Use buddy system (two employees lifting) to reduce the force exerted by each individual. 8.Train the employee in the use of proper lifting techniques and devices. In addition, with regards to: (d)SCALE ROOM BOX STACKER - The evaluation of this task also indicates that the employee is exposed to the hazards of shoulder abduction, torso twisting, and extended reaches. These are causing or likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders ofthe upper extremities and back. In addition to the above recommendations, examples of feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to, the following: 1.Limit load of the boxes to reduce the force required for lifting. 2.Use self-leveling palletizer and rearrange work area to enable operator to push instead of lift. 3.Reduce stacking height of boxes to reduce extended reaches and associated forces. 4.Train the employee in the use of proper lifting techniques and devices.